THE AQUARIUM BULLETIN 



13 



FEMALE 



less massive fin formations, the length 

 and breadth of the fins and threadlike 

 extensions of the pectoral and caudal 

 fins, as well as the branching out of 

 the fin ends are frequently very un- 

 reliable methods of distinguishing the 

 difference of sex. 



A far safer way to tell the sexes is 

 by the following method illustrated in 

 Cut No. -A. During breeding time the 

 female fish shows a more or less 

 visable short, thick, funnel shaped egg- 

 laying tube whereas the male fish 

 shows a somewhat longer but very 

 thin, sharp sexual organ. These are 

 shown very much exaggerated in the 

 drawing (they are very little more 

 than 1/8:^" long) and are located just 

 to the rear of the feelers. 



The expert aquarist with a skillful 

 eye and good lighting facilities can 

 usually detect these sex differences 

 while the fish are in their tank, but it 

 may be necessary to place them in a 

 suitable observation tank. This may 

 be a small clear glass tank. Should 

 the fishes when placed in this obser- 

 vation tank appear frightened and 

 excited, it may not be possible to make 

 correct observations at once ; they 

 should be allowed a little time so they 

 can settle themselves in these tempor- 

 ary quarters. 



As we have now become pretty well 

 acquainted with the sexes, habits, etc., 

 of our friends, the Scalares, a little 

 study of their spawning methods is 



in order. In order to induce them to 

 spawn, nature will have to be imitated 

 as nearly as possible. A very large 

 tank is necessary, holding at least 30 

 gallons of water. Never put the 

 Scalare into fresh water as it will 

 harm them considerably, often causing 

 death. Tank should contain old, green 

 water and should be densely planted 

 along the sides and rear with Vallis- 

 neria Spiralis or Sagittaria, the former 

 preferred. The bottom of the tank in 

 front of the plants should be laid with 

 coarse sand or fine gravel on which 

 may be sprinkled a few pebbles and 

 and small stones. 



Now^ that the breeding tank has 

 been properly prepared and planted, 

 the fishes may be placed therein. Of 

 course one must be sure to have 

 selected a pair and also let it be under- 

 stood that it requires an immense 

 amount of patience and perhaps 

 months of waiting to bring about the 

 desired result. 



Both fish commence by first care- 

 fully cleaning off the leaves of the 

 Sagittaria or other plant upon which 

 are then laid the eggs of the female. 

 During this time the male fish swims 

 around the female with fins erect and 

 fertilizes the eggs. Both fishes then 

 take turns in fanning the water 

 around the eggs with their pectoral 

 fins, this is to keep a constant supply 

 of fresh water circulating about them. 

 This is kept up for about 4 days when 

 the eggs begin to hatch and the young 

 fry make their appearance, clinging to 

 the plants. 



The male fish now proceeds to dig 

 a pit about S inches in diameter in the 

 sand at the bottom of the tank. The 

 young fry are then removed from the 

 plants by both parent fish and placed 

 into this pit. As they cannot yet 

 (Continued Col. 2, Page 17.) 



